This is the thread to track the storm, to learn about Green Dragon members affected by it, etc..

Best of all of our wishes for everyone in this storm's path...

This map should be auto-updating, so you should see the latest position of the storm.

Message edited by its author, Aug 29, 2008, 11:14pm.

Crap another hurricane potentially hitting New Orleans and the Delta within 3 years. I really hope the fixes hold. Good luck and God Bless anyone affected by this.

Gustav is currently a Category 1 but looks to be heading towards a Category 3 Storm by the time it makes landfall. Plus, Tropical Storm Hanna is right behind him, gearing up to become at least a Category 1-2, although its track is less certain.

Be prepared, folks, don't take these lightly, and best wishes to you all, oh, I mean y'all!

Take care.

I'll be thinking of you - please check in, whoever lives in these areas. ~hugs~

Yes. Indeed. All in the potential path take care.

The rest of us should buy what gas we can now as...




Gustav's projected path vs. Oil & Gas rigs in the Gulf

They opened up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve today because of shortages in the Upper Midwest and in anticipation of shutdowns in the Gulf. Most rigs in the Gulf are shutdown and evacuated. There's 4 more Tropical Waves queued up in the Atlantic Headed our way.

Message edited by its author, Aug 30, 2008, 5:35pm.

It's just so frightening.
:o/
Best of luck to everyone who lives on/near the gulf.

I am praying for everyone potentially in the storms path! And please if you are there, please leave! Get out! Be Safe!

Over 70 already dead, and Cuba looks like it will be getting hit hard.
:o(

My heart hurts when I think of the potential damage and injury, not to speak of death, these storms may bring. All who are displaced, all who are hunkered down, any affected at all - let us be your strength. We care a great deal what is happening.

I'm not on the coast, but the news from Louisiana is that the state seems to be getting a pretty good jump on preparations. The governor declared a state of emergency yesterday and there's a plan for evacuation starting tomorrow. I'm currently in Monroe, in the northeast corner of the state, and the hotels are filling up and there are RVs parked in the open spaces.

So I'm hoping that if the storm hits here, things won't be quite so chaotic.

I forgot to mention that we are all holding out thumbs for you all.

Love and wishes for strength and safety to all our Gulf Coast brethren and sistren.

I have a friend who just (as in about two weeks ago) moved to Lafayette, LA and doesn't have a car.

It's weird because I grew up in New Orleans and had to evacuate when Hurricane Georges hit the gulf, but I don't know much about the procedures for Southwest Louisiana.

I know he has a way out of the state if he needs it, I just hope he doesn't!

BLEEP! It's already a Category 3. :oS

~ what maggie & merry said~

ditto, all

I really hope that you are all okay, those of you in the danger zones and those of you who have people you care for in them. I'm thinking of you all.

Make that a Category 4 now!
*shudders*
It's fascinating to observe, but terrifying at the same time.

I talked to my parents a few minutes ago, they live in Southeast La. So many people are trying to evacuate early, so the main roads are pretty congested. They cannot be convinced ever to evacuate, which leaves me a bit frantic. It seems they will most likely be on the rain/tornado side of the storm if it goes west as predicted. Our area doesn't flood, but still there are high winds and such to be worried about.

My prayers and hopes are added for those of you in the path. Like Maggie and others, my heart is hurting just thinking about it.

I see on the news that the evacuation of New Orleans has already begun. I really feel for all those on the coast, but I have to say that I hope the hurricane makes it inland. The Austin area had a strong, but too brief storm last night -- only the second rain all Summer. We can really use a lot of rain here. I've already lost 2 trees despite watering. I just wish there was a way for the hurricane to 'jump' the coastline, but it doesn't work that way.

Holding thumbs for everyone.

The hurricane is soon passing the main tobacco fields on Cuba.
Guess the price is going to go up.
Not that I smoke, though.
But stunningly beautiful countryside.

Holding my thumbs a bit more.

Holding thumbs with the rest of you. Please take care, all you Southern GD types in the path of the storm.

I am concerned because of Gustauf My daughter has been on the road since Thursday driving to Palm Harbor, Florida from NH. She is relocating due to a new job. She arrived this afternoon and called to say she can't move all her furniture and belongs into her apartment because of the terrible rain coming down near the Tampa area. She is staying at a hotel for the night more inland until she can get into her new apartment. I think she will be ok but I am her Mom so I can't help but be concerned.

Scary jewels...but I too am sure she will be okay. Hard to be so far away though, I know..

hugs

I'm sure it will all work out, jewels. It sounds as if she has behaved with good sense (and you raised her to be able to think, I'm sure). Mckait is right -- it's hard for you to be far away in this situation. The worst part of this will be your own tendency to worry so try to put the matter aside -- knit, clean, do something that involves physical movement? Or can you do any of that with your arm in that sling?

*hugs for jewels*
Just be thankful she didn't land a job in New Orleans!

Message edited by its author, Aug 30, 2008, 10:10pm.

No kidding Clam. I am thankful for that. I miss being able to just get int he car and go for a visit. She has a strong constitution.
#27
Thanks for your kind words. I am not worried about her. God, the girl drove a 27ft truck down there(standard to boot). It happens to be things out of our control like the weather that is scary. I was out on July 24 driving when we had a tornado touch down near the area I was driving. I was so happy to have made it home in one piece that day.Weather like that is out of control is so scary.
Actually, jillmwo my foot that is on the mend and improving each day.. I wish I could go for a run today.However, I deferred to reading today! What a novel thing. lol

#29 I deferred to reading today! What a novel thing.

:D :D :D

It's a category 5 now! This is all so incredibly scary, even watching from so far away. I've been holding my thumbs for everyone and hoping that the worst catastrophes will be avoided because of the evacuations. My heart hurts too when I think of all the people so deeply affected by this.

*sigh* and just when we were getting settled in our house! My mom and I can't decide whether to evacuate or not. I don't, because my former roommate lived here during Katrina, and all her family stayed in at the apartment with her and were fine. Also, first they were saying it was most likely going to hit SW LA harder than SE, but apparently it's shifted, yadda yadda yadda, so basically all the places we planned to evacuate to are "possible landing sites" at this point. :( At least we have a full tank, a filled spare gas can, and plenty of cash and food.

Holding good thoughts for all of you in the storm zone -- stay safe!

>#32 - AA, come stay with us. Go to Austin, and head north. I'm serious. You and your mom can have separae rooms even.

#34

You honestly mean that, don't you..? What a wonderful thing for you to do!

ArmyAngel -- I seriously hope you've left and are on the road. Please don't try to tough it out. Each storm is different and you never know what will happen.

Bless you, WholeHouse; if there is anything to karma, you just racked up a bunch of points.

You liked that huh JPB. Hmm #26 I am glad I made you smile! Finished Persuasion last night.

#37 - And?

Holding everyone in Gustav's path in my thoughts and prayers.

My cousin & her family in Biloxi MS just got into their rebuilt house this past year. :-(

Here's an awesome--in the best sense of the word-- hurricane watching site (US government satellite):

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/trop-atl...

Click on the map; if you have a fast connection, you can choose to watch a realtime photo loop of the storm which is magnificently terrible (the loop freezes my dialup here at home; the single photos still take my breath away at the utter size of the thing).

For the first time, it's jumped into my awareness that my lifestyle choices here in the mountains of Montana may be contributing to the death toll of these storms..... (That's what I get for reading Oryx and Crake and Collapse in the same month)

My mom and grandma just left this afternoon, but my brother and father are staying with the pets. Some of my friends went to Tennessee, but others are also going to attempt to ride it out.

I can't believe the storm is 900 miles wide!! That is simply crazy. Also slightly crazy, Ray Nagin's speech. It was panic inducing, and he definitely exaggerated some of the facts, but I guess it was for a good reason.

Wishing safety for all in the path... :-{

I've been away all day, and just logged in. Haven't heard from Army Angel, but I just left a (private) message for her with our (real) names, address, phone numbers and directions on how to get here from points south. I'm even suspending the ~pets~ rule (in case she's got any). I've got a nice warm, dry place for her books as well.

I have no doubt that, given the circumstances, all of you would act accordingly. Nothing special here.

WHL - I think you are right, we would all offer whatever roof, room, and food as we have. One of the reasons GD is greatly loved. I only wish I were closer and could be of help; more importantly, I wish no one will need the help because all will safely make it thru the storm. Nonetheless, WHL and and Mrs. WHL have our respect and affection for your generosity.

I hope people have all left now... remember, this hurricane is passing to the WEST of New Orleans, and that's not good, that's bad. :

Thanks to all, I just remembered to check in and let y'all know what we decided. When I got up this morning my mom had the news on already and told me we were leaving, because the storm shifted overnight and is (supposed to) going to make landfall near NO, which would affect the Northshore region, where we live. We're a little worried about flash flooding in our neighborhood (there is a mostly-dry creek backing the edge of our backyard, but you never know), so we went around the house and picked stuff off the floor to put on the couch (like my hope chest). After we packed we drove to Sulphur (SW LA) to my grandparents' house. We're here with some other relatives who had to evacuate.

WHL, thank you so much for your offer, I'm so glad that if we hadn't been able to get to Sulphur (and there was a good chance we wouldn't, because of the mandatory evacuations) we would have had someplace safe to go.

Y'all please keep some friends of mine in mind: Kourtney, my former roommate, is staying at our apartment with her family. She said they stayed behind (at this same apartment) during Katrina and were fine, so they feel safe doing so again*. Also, my best friend Jenny and her fiance had just moved into their house on Thursday, which is located in Gulfport! and they decided not to evacuate. Don't ask me why, I just found out so I haven't had an opportunity to call and scream at her.

*I sent her a text message a little bit ago asking if they were getting rain yet, her response was, "Yeah, it's coming down now. Let it begin!! Let it begin!!" Which made me laugh, and I guess it's really the only way to face it, huh?

Glad to hear you've got a plan, but if you still need to get out, you know how to find us.

"Noah!.... How long can you tread water?"
-- Bill Cosby -- Why is there Air? (1965)

Take care and my prayers are with you.

Anyone heard a time of estimated landfall yet?

The coast of La. should be experiencing Tropical Force winds around 1am. Several parishes were already under Tornado Watches earlier.

Landfall "mid to late morning."

Message edited by its author, Aug 31, 2008, 11:55pm.

When push comes to shove, AA -

Bring your relatives, too. We've got cots (at the least), and my Scout Troop has some other things that can be made available. We'll get through this. Just don't take any unnecessary risks.

God bless your friends Kourtney and Jenny.... I really hope they and their loved ones are ok. :

AA - My thoughts are prayers are with you, your family, your friends, and the entire area. Stay safe and please stay in touch.

Of course, an enjoyable part of remote hurricane watching is seeing the news reporters standing outside in the wind and rain to give their stories, while you can see, right behind them, comfy cozy, well-lit hotel lobbies. The image of them sipping hot chocolate for 15 minutes, then having to step outside to give the news always amuses me.

You have to assume, JPB, that the weathermen placed out in the middle of the storms must have a fairly good sense of comraderie when it comes to all of 'em being down there in the same boat -- delivering weather updates for their employment, but recognizing that they might all need to huddle together for safety's sake.

Continuing to cross thumbs for the welfare of those far from my little corner of the world.

Yup, we are all crossing thumbs and holding our fingers. LOL

Seriously, we are all holding our Louisiana, Mississippi friends in our hearts, visualizing the best outcome for all. Safe, dry and happy.

Gustav seems to have punched itself out over Cuba. It's still a large and powerful storm but not the Cat 5 we had feared. It appears to be making a short left hook along the coast which is good for the people ashore but bad for the oil bidness.





(big version here: The Oil Drum



See the label "Loop Terminal" bisected by the path? That's where about a third of the US Crude Oil supply gets offloaded to pipelines and barges (tankers don't go up the Big Muddy). We may see gas lines later this week.

Message edited by its author, Sep 1, 2008, 11:31am.

Report from central and north Louisiana:

My parents in Alexandria got hit yesterday afternoon/evening with a lot of rain and wind, but no real damage. Limbs down, some roofs were damaged, but all in all a pretty mild event for them. I've been in Shreveport for the last few days, nothing but rain and not much wind. A little flooding in low spots, but nothing major.